Please don't judge me!
:(
I've bought a Z gauge Marklin 8800, having picked up a Peco narrow gauge tram kit cheap off FleaBay. It's unlikely to get built anytime soon, but I'd like to check the chassis out upon receipt.
Question: Can I use my Bachmann train set controller safely on the Marklin or do I need a different controller?
Ta.
:)
Z-gauge are rated for a lower voltage, so keep the voltage down for testing on a non-z specific controller. The easy way though (which is what I did), is just to use a 9V battery touched across the wheels (or rails).
Should be ok (said Bealman) fingers crossed!
I've always fancied an N gauge working narrow gauge on my layout, and was just going to run it off existing supplies.
I believe a forum member has done this.
@maridunian (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=2947) ?
Yes but don't wind it up too far - Z gauge is nominally only around 8V I think (not 12V). It should be obvious when you reach correct cruising speed :D
If I remember correctly a 4 digit loco number eg #8800 makes it an older 3-pole mechanism I think. The 5 pole mechs (5 digit model numbers?) are better at slow running.
I find with my little Z fleet that a genuine Marklin Z controller does give better control than just using any old controller. It's probably tuned better to the motor characteristics.
Got it.
Okay to test with Bachmann controller, but ultimately better with a Marklin one.
Thanks chaps.
:thumbsup:
I guess it makes sense to use the power unit from the originator of Z gauge.
I'm dead interested in your idea of the Peco thing, though! It's white metal, isn't it?
Let's know how you get on! :thumbsup:
Quote from: Bealman on May 14, 2019, 11:00:24 AM
I guess it makes sense to use the power unit from the originator of Z gauge.
I'm dead interested in your idea of the Peco thing, though! It's white metal, isn't it?
Let's know how you get on! :thumbsup:
Whoa! Hold your horses there George.
My modelling speed is what may be described as 'glacial' . Being self-employed and have a wife with horses limits my time available.
The Peco kit is a little white metal tram loco. I've always liked the idea of mixed gauges and I almost deserted N when I found a supplier of OO/OO9 mixed gauge track. So my next most affordable option is to have narrow gauge N. The kit is designed for the 8800 chassis, and I've been keeping my eyes open for a few months since picking up the kit for a fiver. Yesterday a 8800 Marklin popped up in Germany with 'furry' zinc body and he accepted my offer, so I should be getting it for £30 delivered.
It's likely to sit in a box for a while yet, but I'll post progress when it happens.
That's alright, buddy! :thumbsup:
My modelling output is currently zero, so I'm in no rush!
It's just something that's always interested me, adding a working narrow gauge line to an N gauge layout. :thumbsup:
Quote from: Bealman on May 14, 2019, 12:05:11 PM
It's just something that's always interested me, adding a working narrow gauge line to an N gauge layout. :thumbsup:
I currently have all of my N-gauge track laid, except for a fiddle yard (which currently runs straight through) and the turntable and associated engine roads. I have also laid about a third of my Z-gauge track for use as a narrowgauge line - top station to coal drop on right and under main line on right.
My Marklin loco remains resolutely Z-gauge at the moment, until I get hold of a tram loco kit and convert some 4-wheel carriages to bogie narrowgauge ones.
Unfortunately things have slowed somewhat as I have been busy re-wiring, re-plumbing and re-decorating, so haven't got to the layout often - and then usually only for a short while and ended up
watching trains go round testing the track.
I've often seen the layout 'Shasta' at exhibitions in this area and have always been very impressed with it........
Steve: That is one very impressive plan, in both gauges! I'm afraid my idea was maybe just a circle of Z gauge on a hillside mine, just going round and round! :-[
Mick: Is that Z gauge? They sure like their snakey breaky curves!
Blimey, I'd give me eye teeth for that much space! I've got 5'6" x 3' !
:o
When my mother-in-law died in 2006, we had a lot to store and were paying a fortune to a storage company. It became obvious that buying a shed would be cheaper in the long run. I planned ahead and bought the widest that would fit between the garage and the fence and was a reasonable length. I insulated, lined and wired it for mains and then planned for years, until the shed was gradually emptied enough (we used some stuff and disposed of other items) for the build to begin. I actually started with just the bottom and right boards, completing the loops on the right board. As funds, time and space allowed, I added the top boards, split the loops and rejoined them via the inclines.
Quote from: Bealman on May 14, 2019, 10:25:01 AM
Should be ok (said Bealman) fingers crossed!
I've always fancied an N gauge working narrow gauge on my layout, and was just going to run it off existing supplies.
I believe a forum member has done this.
@maridunian (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=2947) ?
Not yet, but have a Peco N-6.5 tank engine kit in the 'One day...' box. Does that count as starting? ;)
Mike
To me it does! :beers:
Quote from: Bealman on May 14, 2019, 10:51:03 PM
Mick: Is that Z gauge? They sure like their snakey breaky curves!
Yup, and yup :D
I quite like Z Gauge, despite it's cost and plethora of cheesy
items released by Marklin, such as Merry Xmas wagons etc.
Always fancied on of these Z layouts in an attache case,
would go well with my Rolex Submariner and Leica M4. ;D
Quote from: broadsword on May 15, 2019, 10:39:46 AM
I quite like Z Gauge, despite it's cost and plethora of cheesy
items released by Marklin, such as Merry Xmas wagons etc.
Always fancied on of these Z layouts in an attache case,
would go well with my Rolex Submariner and Leica M4. ;D
Wouldn't it be great if James Bond got to his hotel room, opened his briefcase from Q to find it was a Z gauge layout, and the one with the gadgets was still in Q's workshop.
:D
I think you're having a go, and just to add to that, I'm always amazed that there is so much American stuff available in Z.
Looking at Model Railroader magazine, it's not like they're short of space!
But let's not lose the point of this thread....
Using Z to add a narrow gauge feeder to an N gauge layout.
I'd love to do the Lynton and Barnstable in NnZ or whatever it would be called.
Yes, a great idea.
Peco have started producing L & B stock in 009, though.
Quote from: Bealman on May 15, 2019, 11:43:06 AM
Yes, a great idea.
Peco have started producing L & B stock in 009, though.
Their pricing is somewhat eye watering though! :goggleeyes:
Indeed it is, but I think Peco see a specialist niche market and charge accordingly.
Well I've done it now. I've been on the lookout for a Peco NG-651 tram loco body kit for a while. Instead I found one on Ebay complete with a chassis and got it for £35, which seems fairly good with a running chassis. That of course means that I now have a spare chassis, so I'll have to look out for another NG-651 or possibly an NG-652. I hope I wasn't bidding against anyone on here!
Quote from: emjaybee on May 15, 2019, 10:46:10 AM
Quote from: broadsword on May 15, 2019, 10:39:46 AM
I quite like Z Gauge, despite it's cost and plethora of cheesy
items released by Marklin, such as Merry Xmas wagons etc.
Always fancied on of these Z layouts in an attache case,
would go well with my Rolex Submariner and Leica M4. ;D
Wouldn't it be great if James Bond got to his hotel room, opened his briefcase from Q to find it was a Z gauge layout, and the one with the gadgets was still in Q's workshop.
:D
And the mains adapter was the wrong voltage ! :D
He could run it from a 007 volt battery!
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Alan
Nice one!
Quote from: stevewalker on May 16, 2019, 11:13:53 AM
Well I've done it now. I've been on the lookout for a Peco NG-651 tram loco body kit for a while. Instead I found one on Ebay complete with a chassis and got it for £35, which seems fairly good with a running chassis. That of course means that I now have a spare chassis, so I'll have to look out for another NG-651 or possibly an NG-652. I hope I wasn't bidding against anyone on here!
I can't believe you found one, class and body. I've been watching FleaBay for ages and didn't spot it. Post a pic in this thread when you get it.
If it's reasonable, then that's a decent price.
I haven't really thought about wagons yet, not really sure how I'm going to incorporate a narrow gauge either.
Plenty of suitable locos come up on Ebay and a number of non-Ebay suppliers claim to have the body kits in stock at around £18.
The tram loco has arrived. It looks like only a little work to tidy up before painting and it runs fine (after oiling).
Front view:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/77/5329-180519233805.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=77605)
Side view:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/77/5329-180519233846.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=77606)
Chassis view:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/77/5329-180519233920.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=77607)
Z-gauge, N6.5 and N-gauge comparison:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/77/5329-180519233950.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=77608)
How good is that! Seems to have been put together pretty well.
Can't wait to see it all done up! :thumbsup:
The comparison photo is good.
A few joints to tidy with Milliput, followed by a bit of smoothing the same joints and a couple of brass wire pipes to add and it'll be ready for priming. There's not much to it really.
I also have to decide whether to stick with z-gauge couplings or make something up, but they attach to the chassis and can be changed at a later date.
I decided that the joints would be good enough, so skipped any filling and just tidied up with a tiny bit of filing. Primed and painted, but there are a couple of bits on the smokebox and smokebox door - I should have taken my glasses into the shed with me. The lining is a little wonky, but it's the first time I've done any - I used a bow pen borrowed from my parents (my dad was a draughtsman and my mum a tracer in the early '60s). I need to fit the two missing pipes and add a monogram to each side. I'm happy with progress so far though.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/77/5329-240519234906.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=77767)
Sweeeeeeet !
Nice job.